Community Spirit

Quidditch World Cup Tournament

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Friday, April 15th, 2011, 11:32am

An inaugural Quidditch World Cup Tournament will be held at the LSU Lab School campus on Sunday, April 17, at 3 p.m.

Four “muggle” quidditch teams are comprised of 82 students from 8th – 12th grade who belong to the Lab School’s new Quidditch Club. The club was organized by high school sophomores Anne Wheeler, founder and president, and Samantha “Sam” Prather, captain. The LSU quidditch team assisted the high school students by sharing the essential tools and rules of college quidditch, which the sophomores later modified for high school students.

“Muggle” quidditch is adapted from the popular “magical” quidditch sport popularized by the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling.

“The Quidditch Club encourages physical activity and literacy in our country’s youth,” Wheeler said. “But equally important is the fellowship it encourages among students. Quidditch helps bring people together, who might not normally interact, in a healthy and educational environment.”

“A lot of parents have come up to me saying, ‘They (the students) aren’t doing this anymore.’,” said Catherine Cummins, making text-messaging motions with her hands.

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100 Black Men hosts financial literacy program

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Friday, April 15th, 2011, 10:53am

The 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge will be hosting “Dollars and $ense,” a financial literacy program on Sunday, April 17 at 3 p.m. at Capitol High Academies. Twenty high school students will share their experiences with building and tracking their investment portfolio as a way to save money and create wealth. Students are learning from a curriculum that includes the modules on: Plan for Life, Investment Power, Mutual Interests, and the bottom Line.

“The “100” uses financial literacy education as another way to address crime and violence. Financial Literacy emphasizes the rewards of good management as well as the consequences of bad management.

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Earth Day Celebration set for Sunday

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Thursday, April 14th, 2011, 2:27pm

The Louisiana Earth Day celebration, one of the nation’s largest environmental festivals, will take place April 17 in downtown Baton Rouge from noon until 8:30 p.m. The theme for this year’s festival, “This Land is Our Land,” stresses the importance of individual and corporate stewardship. The celebration will feature creative exhibits and educational activities from noon until 5 p.m. Sunday.

More than 400 volunteers will be on hand to educate and inspire festival-goers on how they can “Go Green” at home and at work. The festival will also feature plenty of regional music and food, providing a chance for all ages to celebrate the unique beauty of our state.

“The Louisiana Earth Day festival is one of the largest environmental festivals in the country, and is focused on our state’s love of Louisiana and the need to preserve our environment for future generations,” said Mayor-President Melvin L.

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Alden School offering free services to deaf students

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Thursday, April 14th, 2011, 2:20pm

Alden`s School Of Cosmetology is donating free hair cuts, styles, nails, and facials to students of the Louisiana School of the Deaf (LSOD) for its prom that is scheduled to take place Saturday, April 16 at 8 p.m. The theme is "Journey to Hawaii."

Some of the LSOD students attend Alden`s School of Cosmetology through the career options program at the Deaf School.

The styling is taking place today, April 14 and tomorrow April 15 at Aldens, 2020 Main street, in Baker.

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Foundation celebrating Preservation month in May

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Thursday, April 14th, 2011, 10:59am

The Foundation for Historical Louisiana (FHL) is joining in the celebration being held nationwide in May as Preservation Month, focusing on this year’s theme, “Celebrating America’s Treasures.”

To commemorate the preservation activities nationwide, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana is hosting the a series of preservation topics including two lectures, a panel discussion, and a workshop during the month of May entitled “PreserveGreen: Historic Preservation & the Green Movement: Working Towards a Sustainable Future.”

Presenting the keynote lecture on May 5 is nationally recognized Miami architect and sustainable initiatives proponent, Thorn Grafton, AIA, LEED AP, BD+C. His topic is ‘How Restoration Becomes Regeneration”. He will show numerous examples of the work of Zyscovich Architects that are restorations with energy efficiency LEED certifications.

A lecture on Thursday, May 12, will focus on “Historic Neighborhoods as Sustainable Communities.” It features National Trust for Historic Preservation Director of the New Orleans Field Office, Gaither Pratt.

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Sunflower plantings taking place today in south BR

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Thursday, April 14th, 2011, 10:20am

Sunflower plantings taking place today in south BR

In a pilot program this April, three vacant lots in Old South Baton Rouge will be transformed through colorful sunflower plantings that will mature in the summer. The community revitalization tool is being implemented through a partnership with the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX), the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority (RDA), and Baton Rouge Green.

An area approximately the size of one-quarter of an acre – on three sites—will be planted in the pilot program through a volunteer event today on April 14 at 5 p.m. Neighborhood groups will be actively involved in the planting, maintenance, and harvest. The planting will begin at a vacant lot on Eddie Robinson Senior Drive directly across from the Lincoln Theater.

For more information, please visit the www.facebook.com/growsunflowerproject

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Green Technologies conference starts today

Submitted by Michelle McCalope, Web Producer

Thursday, April 14th, 2011, 9:58am

The Green Technologies Conference starts today, April 14 and 15 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center downtown.

Issues for Renewable Energy loom large here, especially this year, as oil and gas share economic dominance with commercial fishing and sportsman’s concerns. Now the eyes of the energy world are focused on our capital city.

Geraldine Bordelon, Director of Destination Sales said.

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